Announcing new music classes for teens in 2021! These are one time classes that allow teens to learn how music can be used an effective coping tool.
Led by a Board Certified Music Therapist with expertise in mental health music therapy approaches, these classes are designed to be informative, providing practical ways to use music for coping with stress and anxiety.
Classes are $25 per person. Sliding scale options are available, so please reach out to us if cost is a barrier.
What if 2020 isn’t cancelled?
What if 2020 is the year we’ve all been waiting for?
A year so painful, so uncomfortable, so scary, so raw–
That it finally forces us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us
From our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.
Declare change. Work for change. Become the change.
A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather,
The most important year of all.
-Leslie Dwight
We are near the end of an incredibly challenging year. This year has been inundated with events that have gone beyond our control. We have been in a constant state of grief, through a global pandemic, a loneliness epidemic, and ongoing civil unrest and fight for restorative justice in BIPOC communities. All of this directly impacts mental health, and has us continuing to remind ourselves of how important self-care is.
The New Year often represents reflection of this past calendar year, coupled with goals, dreams, and hopes for what is to come. But with this year that we have, how is 2021 really going to be? Where do we go from here? Can we even plan for anything?!
The only thing that I am certain of is how much I don’t know. This is not only a mantra that I have come to peace with personally, but it is also how I often see the lived experiences of my clients. Even with my fancy continuing education training and letters behind my name, I come at peace with not knowing all of the answers. My role as a therapist is to be with my clients side-by-side on their journey through coping and emotional processing, learning alongside them, especially in a year when there are so many unknowns.
To return back to this quote by Leslie Dwight. What if through this uncertainty, this discomfort, we learn to grow, to lean in, to be more connected with one another? In fact, discomfort often needs to happen in an effort to fully change. As we move through the end of 2020, I don’t have answers, but I do have some questions for you to reflect on, to provide a space for hope, and even for your acknowledgment of your own resilience:
What were some new experiences that at this point feel like second nature? For some, perhaps this answer (and is personally my answer) is to finally be one with technology, especially in trying to make connections with folx virtually. Maybe for others, it is more about wearing a mask regularly in the workplace. Whatever it is, identify it, and have space to acknowledge your own ability to adapt.
On Saturday, February 8th, I attended a drum circle offered at Argo Counseling and Wellness. As a new intern, I was unsure what to expect, so I set up the drums and awaited the arrival of participants. To everyone’s surprise, the group ended up being composed entirely of women. While some arrived as friends, others walked into the room and saw no familiar faces. The women in this group were unique in beautiful ways. Crossing multiple generations, decades, and life statuses, one may wonder how a diverse group can put aside differences and work together. Honestly, there’s no way to explain how music creates this instant bond amongst complete strangers, but it does. There was a feeling of openness, honesty, acceptance and respect within the room, equally spread amongst the amazing ladies surrounding me.
When looking at drums, you can easily group them together based on their appearance. Drums with feet vs. drums without feet or any stand, drums with and without animal skin heads, drums with and without cracks or tears. Like each of the people in the room, the drums placed before us had unique histories. The warmth and love of our minds and hands made the group able to take these seemingly unrelated things – drums, strangers, and auxiliary percussive items – and unify them in an effortless manner.
Throughout the drum circle, different women shared their life experiences and resolutions. Spanning from the coming year all the way out to the coming decade, some had measurable goals to accomplish and others simply wanted to find more peace and love within their life. Amanda, the lead music therapist during this drum circle, challenged the group members to come up with one word to summarize their resolutions. Of the range of words shared, the group improvised based on the words “Healing,” “Wisdom,” and “Relaxation.” The introduction of new instruments created unique layers and impressions for each keyword, but the silent communication amongst group members guided everyone to a different place. The unique experiences we were all feeling were due to a common sound, a shared space. Reflecting aloud on our feelings and takeaways after each small improvisation led to support and agreement from others, as well as inquiry and a desire for more knowledge.
Beginning internship meant completely flipping my life around. In a time when I felt unsure and uneasy, these women helped rein me in and remind me that I am strong, capable, and smart enough to accomplish my life (or year-long) goals. For anyone looking for an accepting, welcoming and humbling experience where you can connect with others without fear of judgment, please consider joining us for our future drum circles at Argo Counseling and Wellness. These events are free, open to all, and an opportunity to have an amazing time with great people!
-Ritchie Young, Music Therapy Intern at Annapolis Music Therapy Services
Sneak a peek inside our February drum circle below:
Community Drumming at Argo Counseling
We were so moved by the connection, empowerment, and community-building that happened at our recent drum circle at Argo Counseling. The power of music to bring strangers together is a beautiful thing to experience!Learn more about our music therapy programs at Argo: https://argocounselingandwellness.com/integrative-wellness-services/bodywork-2/
Posted by Annapolis Music Therapy on Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Many of us identify the new year with optimism, as a means to reflect on our goals, priorities, and values. However, the process of trying to achieve these goals can be stressful, challenging, and overwhelming. Accepting these emotions as part of the process can help ground us in the reality of change, and working through these emotions opens up possibilities to achieve the goals that we set out to accomplish.
Here are 3 tips that may help you achieve your new year’s goals:
To add to the third tip, I hope that you can join us in a community drumming experience to reflect on your intentions for the new year, where you will:
Join us at Argo Counseling and Wellness on Saturday January 18 from 12-1:30 to start the new year to the beat of your own drum. All ages welcome.
Amanda Rosado, MMT, MT-BC is a board-certified music therapist with a passion for serving individuals with emotional needs. Learn more about Amanda and music therapy services at Argo!
AMT’s creative arts summer camp is BACK for the 4th year in a row, and we’re thrilled to offer sessions in June (6/24-6/28) & August (8/19-8/23) this summer. Our inclusive summer camps center around a core theme for the week and are designed for children ages 6-12. Learn what makes our Music Makers Camp different from other programs–other than the fact that it’s just an absolute blast for campers & therapists alike!
We’d love to talk with you soon to see if our Music Makers Camp is a good fit for your child. Limited spaces remain in our June & August groups, so don’t wait to register!
‘Tis the season for grant funding in Anne Arundel County! We highly encourage our families to apply for these two excellent opportunities that can help offset the cost of music therapy services and/or adapted music lessons at Annapolis Music Therapy.
AMT is happy to support you through the application process, which includes creating invoices to include with funding applications and providing you with additional information as needed.
E-mail us at admin@annapolismusictherapy.com so we can answer your questions and help you get your applications in today!
Have you heard about our unique intergenerational music programs in Anne Arundel County? We are proud to offer the area’s ONLY intergenerational music classes led by board certified music therapists, and love bringing our youngest & wisest generations together through music experiences. But what is an IG group, anyway?
When you and your little one come to an intergenerational music group, you will…
Hope to move, groove, and grow new friendships with you at one of our 4 intergenerational music groups in Severna Park, Annapolis, and Edgewater very soon!
Are you a family interested in attending one of our free intergenerational groups? Save your spot here.
Are you a facility interested in hosting an intergenerational group? E-mail us at admin@annapolismusictherapy.com today!
We’re totally jazzed about our thriving family music classes, and could talk all day about the benefits of music engagement for little ones of all ages! We believe it’s never too early to expose your child to music, and here are just a few reasons why you should join us for family music classes this March.
We’d love to invite you to join us on Monday & Wednesday mornings this March for our next session of family music classes! Learn more and register here.
We’re so incredibly excited to connect our AMT families with Musical Autist Troupe: a NEW, exciting program hosted by our non-profit partner, The Musical Autist!
Led by a Board Certified Music Therapist, this inclusive group of school-aged children with and without disabilities will have the opportunity to build relationships while working toward performance opportunities. Previous music skills are a benefit, though not required. Mentor Musicians, ranging from high school/college interns to local performing artists, volunteer their time and musical expertise to help the Troupe rehearse and sound amazing!
Each week, time is spent together doing Song Shares, which can be either recorded (Spotify, YouTube, etc) or a piece that is performed live for the group. Participants and volunteers will explore and rehearse several songs that will be performed in spring events that are facilitated by The Musical Autist nonprofit, including Open Mic Nights in the Maryland Hall Cafe, Empowerment Jam Sessions, and TMA’s spring 2019 Sensory Friendly Concert at Peabody Conservatory!
Click here for low-cost registration & additional information about Musical Autist Troupe.
Check out Troupe’s recent performance:
Hear what group members LOVE about Troupe:
Annapolis Music Therapy is proud to accept grant funding from many of our fabulous community partners! Don’t miss this opportunity to apply for funding that can be used for music therapy sessions, adapted lessons, and our summer camps.
Rise for Autism: Now accepting applications until May 31st, 2018. Maximum funding is $500 per family and can be used for therapies, services, and supports. Click here for the application.
Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region’s Family Fund: Now accepting applications on a rolling basis for children under age 21. Must be a member to apply. Click here for the application.